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From MaritimeTrades.org: Maritime Unions Issue Joint Statement Following Attack on U.S.-Flag Vessel Amid Rising Gulf Tension

Seven major maritime unions (AMO, ARA, MEBA, MFOW, MM&P, SIU, and SUP) released a joint statement addressing the escalating threats to U.S.-flag vessels in the Persian Gulf and Middle East.

The unions are collaborating with the U.S. military, government, and vessel management to protect civilian crews in high-risk zones.
They emphasize that mariners perform missions vital to U.S. economic and security interests, as they have for over 250 years, calling for the strongest possible protections and robust security measures until the safety of American crews can be fully guaranteed.

From gCaptain.com: MARAD Opens Workforce Centers of Excellence Applications Amid U.S. Shipbuilding Push

MARAD has opened applications for its Centers of Excellence (CoE) program to train the next generation of U.S. maritime workers, addressing a shrinking workforce and declining shipbuilding capacity.

Authorized by the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act, the program currently includes 32 institutions, aiming to boost maritime industry’s competitiveness by supporting the training, education, and development of personnel required to maintain national security and economic interests with innovation.

From gCaptain.com: Trump Unveils White House Maritime Action Plan to Restore U.S. Seapower

The Trump administration’s Maritime Action Plan (MAP) is a 35-page strategy aiming to rebuild the U.S. shipbuilding industry from its current state of less than one percent global output. The plan, presented as a national security issue rather than transportation policy, proposes several key initiatives including fees on foreign vessels to fund a Maritime Security Trust Fund, the creation of Maritime Prosperity Zones for tax-advantaged investment, a “Bridge Strategy” involving allied shipbuilders, and significant tax and regulatory reforms. The success of the MAP, however, hinges on Congressional action to authorize funding mechanisms and overcome challenges like agency staffing and the long timeline required to rebuild industrial capacity.

Delivering on this vision requires more than investment. By coordinating educational and workforce innovation (USCMI), streamlining regulatory processes, strengthening interagency coordination, and providing reliable long-term funding and demand for U.S.-built ships, shipyards, and mariners, America will rebuild maritime strength at the speed and scale required to meet the challenges of today and the future.

From Wall Street Journal: China’s Push to Master the Arctic Opens an Alarming Shortcut to U.S.

National-security officials say Chinese submarines and icebreakers pose a new military threat from the High North.

China has been actively pursuing its interests in the Arctic, positioning itself as a “near-Arctic state” and seeking to enhance its influence through investments in infrastructure, scientific research, and participation in multilateral treaties.

China’s push to master the Arctic presents a multifaceted challenge for the U.S., encompassing economic, military, and environmental dimensions. As the region’s significance grows, the U.S. must develop a comprehensive strategy to safeguard its interests while engaging with international partners to address the complexities of Arctic governance and security.

From HStoday.us: National Security at Sea: How the Jones Act and Cabotage Laws Are Advancing Across the Globe

A new report from Seafarers’ Rights International—The Cabotage Laws of the World (2025)—reveals that 105 countries now have cabotage laws protecting their maritime industries and national security. In this HSToday interview, Executive Editor Kristina Tanasichuk speaks with Deirdre Fitzpatrick (SRI), David Heindel (Seafarers International Union), and Jennifer Carpenter (American Maritime Partnership) about how the Jones Act and similar laws worldwide are strengthening sovereignty, supply chain resilience, and defense readiness.

These laws are increasingly viewed globally as essential to strengthen national security, ensure supply chain resilience, and enhance defense readiness at sea.

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